Hey there, cowpokes! This time around I interview River Shook about their new album with Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, Revelations. What’s that now? Well, we get into River coming out as nonbinary, changing their name…and still touring under their given name. We’ll also talk about their growing confidence as they continue into sobriety, taking the…

Howdy, cowpokes! This is a special bonus episode of Rainbow Rodeo to celebrate two different queer country shows next week. The online festival Country Soul Songbook, which is pay-what-you-can. It's a great weekend of conversations and concerts that celebrate radical intersectionality in country music. On Friday March 15th from 12 PM - 5 PM IN AUST…

Cidny Bullens is not just a rock'n'roll lifer -- he's a survivor. He toured with Elton John and Bob Dylan and was nominated for two Grammys for his own solo work. If you've listened to the Grease soundtrack, you've probably heard him -- but this is all before he transitioned. Cid's been through quite a bit as well, and not just a rock and roll life…

This isn't Jessye DeSilva's first Rainbow Rodeo! The non-binary singer-songwriter was the very first guest on this podcast, and we're thrilled to have them back. In this episode, we talk about how DeSilva is setting intentions and seeing them through, their album Renovations as a document of coming into their own, and what's next as they tackle bei…

Howdy, cowpokes, and welcome back to Rainbow Rodeo! This month, I interview artist and podcaster extraordinaire, Jenny Owen Youngs. I think you can hear in the interview that I’m a little bit starstruck, but of course Jenny was a pro. (We’re on a first-name basis now.) We talk about her return to solo music with her new album, Avalanche, and how it…

Hey there, cowpokes, and welcome back to Rainbow Rodeo! This month, I speak with veteran Maia Sharp about her album Reckless Thoughts, which came out in August. I also interviewed her for the Nashville Scene. In that interview, we discussed the divorce that caused her to move to Nashville and how she brought together a trusted band to create Reckle…

Julian Talamantez Brolaski is a poet and country crooner but, above all else, is a careful curator of traditional country music. Brolaski's album It's Okay Honey comes out today, replete with yodeling, cowboy guitar and, of course, heartbreak. Brolaski was also on the ground floor of Brooklyn's queer country scene in the 2010s. They're too modest t…

I'm excited to introduce you to Beau Wheeler. Beau's latest album, Flying Colours, reveals a huge generosity of spirit. They wrote these songs while they were undergoing cancer treatment -- and coming out as non-binary. We also discuss hacking it in the Canadian indie rock scene -- and, for Patreon subscribers, just what they would risk to go see M…

Hey there, cowpokes, and happy Pride! We are in a real treat this month with our conversation with Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, old time music legends. In our interview, Cathy and Marcy said they haven't done much -- but they're just being modest. They have performed with Pete Seeger, Theodore Bikel, Tom Paxton, Patsy Montana, Riders in the Sky, an…

Get to know Mya Byrne now, because she is going to become a household name. Her newest album, Rhinestone Tomboy, is out now on Kill Rock Stars Records. KRS is the legendary riot grrl record label, and Rhinestone Tomboy is the first record off its brand new Nashville imprint. As I wrote in my profile in the Nashville Scene, that's not the only first…

Hey, cowpokes! This week I joined queer baseball podcast Batting Around to speak with Bryan Ruby. Bryan is the first professional baseball player to come out while actively playing. Now that he's getting ready to hang up his cleats, he's picking up his guitar and kick-starting his country music career! This episode goes more into his time in baseba…

Howdy, cowpokes! This month I speak with Zoe Boekbinder about their recent songs, "Cut My Heart In Two," and "I Am Yesterday." Both of these songs were produced by Gracie and Rachel, whom I interviewed on my previous podcast, Adobe and Teardrops. Zoe Boekbinder is a veteran, singer songwriter, born in Canada and raised in a string of Buddhist commu…

Howdy, cowpokes! Thanks to an audio snafu, this month's interview did not go as planned but that means I get to LARP as an NPR DJ! This month's episode reviews the fantastic queer country releases from February, as well as a preview of what's to come this spring. Sunny War, Anarchist Gospel, “Swear to Gawd” John-Allison Weiss, The Long Way, “Differ…

I interviewed Canadian alt-country singer Mariel Buckley back in August. And you can tell this was a few months ago because we talked a little baseball -- little did we know how badly the Blue Jays would implode. Buckley's album Everywhere I Used To Be is a distinct departure from Buckley's acclaimed Driving in the Dark. The sound is more spare, mo…

Hey, there, cowpokes. It's episode 8 of Rainbow Rodeo and I'm speaking with Adeem the Artist. We spoke two days after the release of their breakout album White Trash Revelry. This episode is a little odd because we were both in kind of weird headspaces and spent a looong time talking about the music industry and how Adeem feels about hitting their …

Hi, everyone. I'm popping in with a sort of mini-sode here. Patrick Haggerty, the lead singer and songwritier of Lavender Country, passed away on Halloween. I meant to post this shortly after his death, but between my midterms and the holidays, I just didn't get around to it. The real reason, though, is once I post this, well...then it means he's r…

Hey there, cowpokes! I just got hitched, which meant I got a liiiittle behind working on the podcast. But, I think this interview with Violet Bell is well worth the white. The North Carolina duo, consisting of Lizzy Ross and Omar Ruiz-Lopez, just released their gorgeous new album, Shapeshifter. The album retells the ancient story of the selkie from…

This month, we're going to hear from Whitney Fenimore as she tells us about her EP, Leaving Ashwood, which came out on September 23rd. Whitney's story starts out familiar: she grew up in Oklahoma, devoted to church life in spite of the psychic pain it caused her. But not everyone in that situation moves on to sing in The Voice, or to marry an Olymp…

Hello, Teardrops! In case you didn't know, I've started a whole new podcast called Rainbow Rodeo! This is the newest episode! Sylvia Rose Novak hates expecations. That's why they've torn down their Americana image and set stakes in the alt-rock world with their blistering album A Miss/A Masterpiece -- not coincidentally, breaking out of the America…

Sylvia Rose Novak hates expecations. That's why they've torn down their Americana image and set stakes in the alt-rock world with their blistering album A Miss/A Masterpiece -- not coincidentally, breaking out of the Americana genre has coincided with Novak coming out as non-binary. We talk about the album, Novak's coming out experience, and how th…

Heya, cowpokes! I got a little off-schedule thanks to vacation, so we'll have two episode this month! (Yeehaw!) This time around, I interview Shana Goldin-Perschbacher, author of the book Queer Country. It's the first scholarly work about the genre and it gets into the history of queer country -- as well as what it all actually means. You can get a…

Alex (formerly known as al) Riggs and I spoke in early June about their latest album, themselves, right when it was released. We discussed the current situation in the queer country scene, the anxieties of releasing a record and receiving little press, and how coming into herself has changed her approach to music. Two days later, themselves got a r…

Howdy and welcome to the very first episode of Rainbow Rodeo! I'm your host, Rachel Cholst. In this episode, we talk with Jessye deSilva about their debut album Landscapes, growing up non-binary in a Christian household, discovering Elton John, Jessye's work teaching vocal pedagogy at Berklee College of Music, and so much more! Learn more about Rai…

Well, this is it: the very, very, last episode of Adobe & Teardrops. It's been a great 5-year run, but fear not! The blog will continue. In honor of Adobe & Teardrops' 10th anniversary, here's a super episode of the unsung heroes of Americana's development into a commercial genre with special thanks to Tucker Riggleman, Gabe di Chiara, Farce the Mu…

It's the second-to-last episode of Adobe & Teardrops, and Jewish country music won by popular demand! Read more about Mya Byrne here! Featuring: Becky Warren -- "Good Luck (You're Gonna Need It)" (The Sick Season) Nessi Gomes -- "As You Will (Hine Ani)" (Single) Lily Henley -- "Morena Me Llaman" (Single) Tsibele -- "Di Svet Shop (The Sweat Shop)" (…

It's February, so it's time for some of my favorite break-up songs! Also, I started a queer country music e-mail newsletter called Rainbow Rodeo! You can subscribe for free here and click the button twice, and subscribe to the zine for as little as $2 a year here. You can hear me talk more about Cowboy Mouth on the brand new One-Hit History podcast…

Hey, gang. I got a little tied up with finals and never made a December episode for Adobe & Teardrops. That’s embarrassing, because December 8th is Adobe & Teardrops’ tenth anniversary! I begin with a an all-time top 10 countdown for the last 10 years of Adobe & Teardrops. Then, at the 42-minute mark, I do my top 10 of 2021. See below for time stam…

Happy Hanukkah! (It begins on November 28th). Let's celebrate the season with a whole episode devoted to Jewish country music. If you want more, you can find two different playlists on www.adobeandteardrops.com Sarah Aroeste -- “Las Kandelikas de la Fiesta” (Hanuka!) Nefesh Mountain -- “Hanukkah’s Flame” (Live From Levon Helm Studios) Debbie Friedm…

Welcome back, Teardrops! Feels good to have you all here. Adobe & Teardrops will now be a bi-monthly (every 2 weeks) podcast, and I’m so honored to have Lilli Lewis with me to re-inaugurate the show. Lewis is a veteran of the New Orleans music world and her new album, Americana, draws a line in the sand for anyone who think Black artists don’t belo…

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Big news! This is one of the LAST few episodes of Adobe & Teardrops! But you can hear me at Rosa and Rachel's Redwall Report! Also, you can write for Rainbow Rodeo, the first queer country music magazine! Apply here! This week, I dig into some of the best releases from the month of July. Son Volt -- “Diamonds and Cigarettes (feat. Laura Cantrell)” …

Summer's winding down so you gotta catch as catch can. Here are some of the best Americana songs around about summer flings and wanting more. Adam Hooks and the Huckleberries -- “Samantha (Bad News)” (So Far Gone) (01:46) The Redhill Valleys -- “Finish Line” (Single) (05:06) Emily Duff -- “Don’t Hang the Moon” (Razor Blade Smile) (10:37) Gabe Lee -…

Grace Pettis and I celebrate her phenomenal album, Working Woman, by trading feminist country and roots music. We also discuss how Grace uses her platform to benefit people who are marginalized in the music industry, and what being a woman really means. Here's that Spotify playlist of feminist country music that Grace and I mentioned. Learn more ab…

The second episode this week explores some of my favorite protest music -- just in time for the Fourth of July! You can read more about the No-No boys here. No-No Boy -- “Close Your Eyes and Dream of Flowers” (1975) (4:03) Nana Grizol -- “Plantation Country” (South Somewhere Else) (7:26) Leyla McCalla -- “Money is King” (Capitalist Blues) (12:24) H…

In this two-episode week, Rachel spins the best music released in June (that she hasn't already covered for Pride, at least.) She also talks a little bit about the survivor's guilt of seeing Cory Branan in concert. Cory Branan -- “Visiting Hours” (Adios) (2:02) Angela Autumn -- “God’s Green Earth” (Frontiers Woman) (5:42) Von Bieker -- “An Artist’s…

In our final Pride episode, I speak with my friend, poet and writer Anastasia Walker. As we discuss, Anastasia and I met five years ago at our college reunion, and have kept in touch since. We talk about her upcoming book of poetry, The Girl Who Wasn’t And Is from bd-studios, and how the trans experience has changed and is changing across the gener…

I’m honored to be joined by Terry Blade to celebrate Juneteenth and Pride! In this episode, Terry discuss his new single “Forward,” as well as his diverse influences and the BIPOC artists he resonates with. We also discuss the rapid corporatization of Juneteenth and how music media can best portray artists’ multiple identities. As always, learn abo…

I'm super excited about my latest project, the queer country zine Rainbow Rodeo! The articles are amazing and the thing looks great -- and that's all thanks to the artists featured in this episode -- as well as many more! In this episode, I preview the zine and play music by some of the zine's contributors. You can get your copy at www.rainbowrodeo…

Adeem the Artist and I picked some of our favorite new queer country songs to feature for Pride! Shortly after this interview, it was announced that Adeem will be opening for American Aquarium in the fall. I’m so stoked for them! Turns out that between the two of us, Adeem and I reviewed half the albums featured here, so check those out in the show…

Lots of great music came out on May! Let's round' em up! Read the transcript for this here. Album of the Month: Maia Sharp -- Mercy Rising Maia Sharp’s Mercy Rising. You’ll see what I mean when you listen to “You’ll Know Who Knows You.” This is a really sexy song, something that to me has an ineffably queer, nay, lesbian, aesthetic. The whole album…

This week, Kasey Anderson and I shoot the breeze about baseball, why we like it, and our favorite songs about baseball. Where else will you find Sam & Dave and Todd Snider in the same place? Kasey Anderson -- “Older Guys” (Let the Bloody Moon Rise) (9:59) Todd Snider -- “America’s Favorite Pastime” (The Excitement Plan) (13:43) Caroline Spence -- “…

Here's a lot of brand new music that SOUNDS old, because honky-tonk is forever. You can find the transcript here! Charlie Marie -- “Soul Train” (Ramble On) (3:44) Soo Line Loons -- “What They Don’t Tell You” (Soo Line Loons) (7:41) Shootouts -- “Rattlesnake Whiskey” (Bullseye) (11:47) Steel Woods -- “I Need You (feat. Ashley Monroe)” (All of Your S…

This week, I review some of my favorite anti-racist country songs -- and what anti-racism even means. And yes, it's meant to be this short! Read the transcript here. Links from the episode: The Spotify playlist this episode is based on My article in The Boot about the ACM Awards Redlining in Country Music: Representation in the Country Music Indust…

This week's episode is the LAST episode in this format, where I spin some new tunes that I like. Moving forward, each episode will revolve around a certain theme! Album of the Week: Doc Feldman -- A Healthy Dose of Anxiety The first half of the album is a healthy dose of some anti-anxiety; this album is a bit of a left turn for Doc, veering away fr…

Read the episode transcript here! Rachel has some big personal news, which should explain why this episode is late! Plus, the best in Americana and queer punk. Album of the Week: Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band -- Dance Songs For Hard Times Anyone familiar with their work knows that the Big Damn Band does nothing but dance songs, but this time arou…

In this episode, there are two Rachels, three Zachs, and three songs by country artists who eschew Nashville. Rachel Hurley is my co-pilot on this one! Rachel is the headmistress of Sweetheart PR and co-hosts the Music Rookie podcast. She talks about her impressive journey through the music industry before we gush about the music we love this week.…

Hi, everyone! Welcome to Episode 166! My brain is in vacation mode. I stayed in a ridiculous mcmansion. In this episode, we get into some brand new music, some crate-digging, and an interview with Mackenzie Shivers! Dallas Moore -- “Blue Jean Jesus” (The Rain) (2:21) I Can Lick Any Son Of a Bitch in the House -- “It Don’t Get Much Better Than This”…

It’s episode 165 of Adobe & Teardrops! Thanks for sticking with me! Well, everything is coming up Rachel this week. I’ve been on spring break. I joined a fantasy baseball league. I joined a queer softball league. Opening day is in less than an hour as I record this. We might be moving into a 2-bedroom apartment in the same building. Oh yeah -- thin…

Hey, y’all! Welcome to episode 164 of Adobe & Teardrops! From now on, you can read the a transcript of the podcast on Adobe & Teardrops. My computer decided to pick a fight with me, so this one is super late and I won’t be doing an extended cut for Patreon subscribers cuz I just want to get this done. Sorry about that. Album of the Week Miko Marks’…

For a complete transcript of this episode, click here! New website, who dis? Adobe & Teardrops condemns the violence against AAPI women this past week. I played a set of AAPI Americana artists in solidarity, and to remind us that this impacts the Americana world as well. Album of the Week: Melissa Carper -- Daddy's Country Gold I also wrote this up…